Toxic Aircraft Danger - 19-05-97

Military jet aircraft crashes pose a hidden danger

 The dangers were brought into sharp focus following a crash by a military aircraft in Denmark in 1990. Crash teams and investigators had to wear special protective clothing including dust helmets to avoid contact with particles from the composites in the aircraft's construction. The crash site was contaminated and had to be stabilised with resin.

 The aircraft was an RAF Harrier GR 5 similar to that which crashed near Wittering in England in May, 1997.

 Five years ago the RAF developed so called POST CRASH MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES (PCMTs) to deal with the consequences of these crashes, not just the immediate incident, but the sealing of the site and any downwind contamination. Despite the dangers to the public in the area of such incidents, no details have yet been widely publicised.

 In 1994 the Celtic League, which monitors military low flying over the Celtic Areas of Britain, publicised details on this problem in a pamphlet, "RAF POST CRASH MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES - ARE THEY ADEQUATE?" We called for evaltuation of all crash sites in Wales and Scotland for post crash site contamination and we challenged the MOD to go public on the dangers - so far they have not complied.

 Of all current RAF military aircraft the Harrier GR 5 has one of the highest levels of composite construction (indeed, it was the aircraft type we included to illustrate the hazard in our report). However, other modern combat aircraft and jet trainers such as the Tornado and the Hawk also contain composite materials.

 With RAF operations steadily on the increase over Scotland and the Mid Wales TTA (Tactical Training Area), it is time to warn the public of the less obvious dangers that accompany military accidents of this type.